Arch support



L. LOBEL ARCH SUPPORT Feb. 4, 1930.`

Filed Aug. 2, 1929 III/II ,Patented Feb. 4, 1930 PATENT oFEicE f LEON LOBEL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ARCH SUPPORT Application filed August 2,.-1929. Serial No. 382,944.

.This invention relates to improvements in arch supporters and has for one of its objects the provision of a support for the arch of a foot having resilient properties adapted to perform a kneading or massaging operation during the ambulatory movement of the wearer. Y' p Another object of the invention is to provide an arch of the character referred to that will support both the longitudinal archv or plantar as well as the transverse or metatarsal arch.

A further object of the invention is to produce such an arch in which the maximum simplicity of construction is secured and yet having the highest eficiency in operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear 'as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consisting substan- 29- tially in the novel arrangement and co-relation of parts herein fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein similarreference characters are used to describe corresponding parts throughout the several views, and then finally pointed out and specifically defined and indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 is a view of a shoe in perspective partly broken away, showing a preferred form of my improved arch support as applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the arch support, and

thereof taken on line 3-3 Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, 5 indicates a base plate preferably made of pliable leather and is long enough to extend from the heel to a point beyond the metatarsal arch when inserted int-o a shoe. A pad or cushion 6 preferably made of high grade sponge rubberis securedas by gluing or otherwise to the underside of the base 5 in the area commencing directly in front of the heel portion 7 and extending forwardly therefrom a distance suiciently large enough to support the longitudinal arch.`

By referring to Fig. 3 of the drawing it Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view will be seen that the said pad 6 is of greater thickness at the central area thereof, which when the support is placed in a shoe 8, Fig. 1,

comesv in linewith and directly beneath the instep of the wearer.

Directly in front of the arch Support 6, the base plate 5 is preferably rovided with a substantially 'hea-rt -shapetfi opening 1() through which projects a second cushion 11 also made of sponge rubber. The said cush 60 ion 11 is provided at the bottom thereof with a flange 12 adapted to receive glue thereon to secure the cushion to the underside of the base plate 5. This secon-d cushion is so located on the base 5 as to support the metatar- 65 sal arch of the wearer. If desired, either the longitudinal arch support 6 or the metatarsal arch support may be omitted depending upon the ailment of the wearer.

The entire arch support is glued to the inner face of the sole 13 of the shoe 8. The width of the base plate 5 may be somewhat greater than the width ofthe shoe so that it is sprung into the shoe and fits snugly therein.

1V hen both the pads 6 and 10 are used, they 75 cooperate with each other to springingly support both the longitudinal an-d metatarsal arches of the wearer and impart a kneading or massaging operation to the said arches during ambulatory movement. so

From the foregoing vit will be seen that I have provided an arch support of simple yet eilicientconst-ruction, that will resiliently Support both the longitudinal and metatarsal arches and impart akneading or massaging S5 operation during the ambulatory movement of the wearer. A

lVhile I have described the archsupport cushions 6 and 11 as preferably made of sponge-rubber, I may, in place thereof, use 9o any other suitable rubber or material adapted for the purpose, and the term rubber in the appended claims is intended to include such equivalents.

Having described my invention what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an arch support adapted to be applied to the upper surface of a shoey sole, a base plate having an opening therein substantially in line with the metatarsal arch of the wearer, a cushion extending upwardly therethrough forming a support for the said metatarsal arch, and aflange on the cushion forming neans for securing the cushion to the under side ofthe base plate.

2. In an arch support, a base plate, a tapering cushion with its greatest thickness at its central arca secured to the underside of the t base plate and projecting downwardly therefrom, and a second cushion in front thereof extending upwardly from the base plate cooperating With each other to support both the longitudinal and metatarsal arches of the Wealel.

LEON LoBEL. 

